What Does a School Board Trustee Do?

Public schools touch nearly every family in Great Falls, even those without children currently in classrooms.

Trustees serving on the board for Great Falls Public Schools help oversee a district that educates about 10,000 students, employs more than 1,300 teachers and staff, and manages an annual budget of over $160 million.

Trustees are elected to represent the community. They set district policy, approve the annual budget, and provide oversight to ensure public resources are used wisely, legally, and in alignment with community values.

They do not run schools day to day. That responsibility belongs to the superintendent and professional educators.

Instead, trustees focus on the big picture.

They establish priorities around student safety, academic expectations, and long-term planning. They review financial reports, ask questions, and look ahead to future needs—such as building maintenance, staffing levels, transportation, and program sustainability across nearly 30 schools.

One of the board’s most important duties is hiring and evaluating the superintendent. This single decision shapes leadership, culture, and stability across the entire district.

Just as important is what trustees do not do. They do not manage classrooms. They do not supervise employees. They do not make decisions alone. Authority rests with the full board, and meetings are held publicly under Montana’s open-meeting laws to ensure transparency.

Serving as a trustee requires time, preparation, and a steady temperament. It also requires listening to parents, educators, seniors, business owners, and taxpayers.

When trustees do their job well, schools feel stable. Finances are responsibly managed. Planning is thoughtful. And the community can trust that decisions are being made with students, and the future of Great Falls at the center.